Rafa Responds to Your Questions

Last week in Montecarlo Thomas Johansson impersonated you. Did you like it?
- Debora Cerro Fernandez

I thought it was really funny. I had a great time watching it and laughed all night. He was really good at it.

Do you think if Roger Federer loses some more times, you will be close to, or be, number one in the world?
- Jai Malik
Roger for the moment is the best player and far away. I am trying my best and if I have the chance I'll try to reach him. If I win today in Barcelona I can be first in the Race so I will try. But Roger is just very good.

If you were given the choice this year, would you rather win Roland Garros for the 3rd year running or Wimbledon for the 1st time ?
- JILLIAN LYNN

How about both? :-) It is very difficult and I can assure you I will try my best on both

Hi Rafa !
I saw your victory against Federer last sunday. Great win, congratulations ! Do you think you are better on clay now than you were before ? And what is your main goal now ? Winning a third Roland Garros, becoming n°1...?
Good luck for your season !
- Ptitie

Hi, thanks. My goal is to be playing in Shanghai at the end of the year. Obviously I will try my best to win in Roland Garros but I know that it will be very difficult.

Have you ever doubted that you could make it that far? I am an 18 year-old tennis player, and I still want to make my dream come true.
- Alexandre Duval

Well, believe me I had serious doubts when I was injured last year and they told me I could not play tennis or that it was in danger. I had very bad times but now everything is going well.. Young players should have fun playing tennis, and that's the most important thing.

After your win at Monte Carlo against Federer, you said that you moved up into the court against him. This seems to be a winning strategy for you against Federer and others on faster services as well. Can we expect to see you moving into the court against Fed, Blake, and Berdych on the grass at Wimbledon and the hardcourts of North America?
- Elliott Ellis

Believe me I will try anything to beat them. But in any case I like to stay with my normal strategy.

What do you think of Thomas Muster, as a player? Was he a strong influence to you, and are you both friends?
- Vik, Florida, USA

I really didn't have much time to see him since I was too young. I don't really know him.

In how many years do you think you will become world no.1?
- Ceren
I hope that one day... -)

I think you're fantastic. How long do you plan to continue playing tennis for?
- Kerry Houston, Scotland

Do you want to retire me already?

Did you change your racquet for the French tournament, or was it the same you used in 2006?
- Joan Hawthorne

Yes, I have changed the racquet. I started using it in Monte-Carlo.

What do you tell yourself when you feel that you are about to lose the match? How do you make youself believe that you can win?
- Natalia Balagurova

I always think that until the last point is not over I still have a chance.

Do you plan your championship-winning speeches beforehand, or do you come up with them during the trophy presentation?
- Sheron
There are certain things I normally try to say but it comes the way it comes. Always natural.